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In 1634, the Frenchman [[Jean Nicolet]] became the first European to explore what was to become Wisconsin. He founded the [[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] colony. During the next 150 years, the area was settled primarily by French fur traders. France then transferred the territory to Britain in 1763. The United States acquired the Wisconsin territory after the Revolution in 1783, but it remained under ''de facto'' British control until the [[War of 1812]]. The nineteenth century saw settlement by "Yankees" ([[New England]]ers and people from [[upstate New York]]), Cornish miners, and German, Scandinavian and Swiss settlers.
In 1634, the Frenchman [[Jean Nicolet]] became the first European to explore what was to become Wisconsin. He founded the [[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] colony. During the next 150 years, the area was settled primarily by French fur traders. France then transferred the territory to Britain in 1763. The United States acquired the Wisconsin territory after the Revolution in 1783, but it remained under ''de facto'' British control until the [[War of 1812]]. The nineteenth century saw settlement by "Yankees" ([[New England]]ers and people from [[upstate New York]]), Cornish miners, and German, Scandinavian and Swiss settlers.
The guy in the middle looks like Jesus!


===Borders===
===Borders===

Revision as of 18:11, 24 March 2009

For other uses, see the U.S. state.
Wisconsin
State
Map
CountryUnited States
Admitted to the UnionMay 29, 1848 (30th)
CapitalMadison
Largest cityMilwaukee
Largest county or equivalentMarathon County
Largest metro and urban areasMilwaukee metropolitan area
Government
 • GovernorJim Doyle (D)
 • Lieutenant GovernorBarbara Lawton (D)
 • Upper house{{{Upperhouse}}}
 • Lower house{{{Lowerhouse}}}
U.S. senatorsHerb Kohl (D)
Russ Feingold (D)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total5,627,967 (2,008 est.)[1]
 • Density98.8/sq mi (38.13/km2)
 • Median household income
$47,220
 • Income rank
15th
Language
 • Official languageNone
Traditional abbreviationWis.
Latitude42° 30′ N to 47° 05′ N
Longitude86° 46′ W to 92° 53′ W

Wisconsin (/wɪˈskɒnsɨn/ⓘ) (French: Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty states in the United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States. It borders two of the five Great Lakes and four U.S. states (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota). Wisconsin's capital is Madison, and its largest city is Milwaukee.

Etymology

The word Wisconsin has its origins in the name given to the Wisconsin River by one of the Algonquian speaking American Indian groups living in the region at the time of European contact.[3] French explorer Jacques Marquette was the first European to reach the Wisconsin River and record its name, arriving in 1673 and calling the river Meskousing in his journal.[4] This spelling was later corrupted to Ouisconsin by other French explorers, and over time this version became the French name for both the Wisconsin River and the surrounding lands. English speakers anglicized the spelling to its modern form when they began to arrive in greater numbers during the early 19th Century. The current spelling was made official by the legislature of Wisconsin Territory in 1845.[5]

Through the course of its many variations, the Algonquian source word for Wisconsin and its original meaning have both grown obscure. Interpretations vary, but most implicate the river and the red sandstone that line its banks. One leading theory holds that the name originated from the Miami word Meskonsing, meaning "it lies red," a reference to the setting of the Wisconsin River as it flows by the reddish sandstone of the Wisconsin Dells.[6] Numerous other theories have also been widely publicized, including claims that name originated from one of a variety of Ojibwa words meaning "red stone place," "gathering of the waters," or "great rock."[7]

History

Main article: History of Wisconsin
Painting of Jean Nicolet's 1634 arrival in Wisconsin

Introduction to the West

In 1634, the Frenchman Jean Nicolet became the first European to explore what was to become Wisconsin. He founded the Green Bay colony. During the next 150 years, the area was settled primarily by French fur traders. France then transferred the territory to Britain in 1763. The United States acquired the Wisconsin territory after the Revolution in 1783, but it remained under de facto British control until the War of 1812. The nineteenth century saw settlement by "Yankees" (New Englanders and people from upstate New York), Cornish miners, and German, Scandinavian and Swiss settlers. The guy in the middle looks like Jesus!

Borders

Wisconsin, bordered by the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois, as well as Lakes Michigan and Superior, has been part of United States' territory since the end of the American Revolution; the Wisconsin Territory (which included parts of other current states) was formed on July 3, 1836. Wisconsin ratified its constitution on March 13, 1848, and was admitted to the Union on May 29, 1848, as the 30th state.

A border dispute with Michigan was settled by two cases, both Wisconsin v. Michigan, in 1934 and 1935.

Economy

Wisconsin's economy was originally based on farming (especially dairy), mining, and lumbering. The state was rich in virgin stands of old growth white pine and hemlock. As lumber companies sawed the forest for timber, migrant farmers settled the cleared land. Wisconsin's topography of rolling glacial hills with rich (but rocky) soil coupled with unpredictable seasons favored dairy farming. Industrial centers srpung up along Lake Michigan and in the Fox Valley where there was easy access to raw materials (lumber, iron ore) and shipping ports, most notebly at Milwaukee. After WWI Wisconsin became a major exporter of durable goods, with Milwaukee being known as the "tool box of the world." In the northern half of the state, farming had lost significance due to short growing seasons and reverted back to forest where staple crops of trees supplied a booming paper industry that had access to cheap power sources along the Wisconsin, Chippeawa, and Fox Rivers. In the later 20th century, tourism became important, as many people living on former farms commuted to jobs elsewhere. In recent decades, service industries, especially medicine and education, have become dominant as heavy industy declined. Wisconsin is also noted for having a stable economy compaired to most other states. This may be attributed to a diversified economy as well as a low net population growth. Wisconsin's landscape, largely shaped by the Wisconsin glaciation of the last Ice Age, makes the state popular for both tourism and many forms of outdoor recreation due to the many lakes, streams, and rolling hills. Popular tourest destinations include Door County, Wisconsin Dells, and the northern forest/lake region. Most tourism is from neighboring states whithin driving distance, especially Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Geography

Wisconsin state welcome sign

The state is bordered by the Montreal River; Lake Superior and Michigan to the north; by Lake Michigan to the east; by Illinois to the south; and by Iowa and Minnesota to the west. The state's boundaries include the Mississippi River and St. Croix River in the west, and the Menominee River in the northeast. With its location between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of geographical features. The state is divided into five distinct regions. In the north, the Lake Superior Lowland occupies a belt of land along Lake Superior. Just to the south, the Northern Highland has massive mixed hardwood and coniferous forests including the 1.5 million acre (6,000 km²) Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, as well as thousands of glacial lakes, and the state's highest point, Timms Hill. In the middle of the state, the Central Plain has some unique sandstone formations like the Dells of the Wisconsin River in addition to rich farmland. The Eastern Ridges and Lowlands region in the southeast is home to many of Wisconsin's largest cities. In the southwest, the Western Upland is a rugged landscape with a mix of forest and farmland, including many bluffs on the Mississippi River. This region is part of the Driftless Area, which also includes portions of Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. This area was not covered by glaciers during the most recent ice age, the Wisconsin Glaciation.

The Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin is characterized by bluffs carved in sedimentary rock by water from melting Ice Age glaciers.

Overall, 46% of Wisconsin's land area is covered by forest.

The varied landscape of Wisconsin makes the state a popular vacation destination for outdoor recreation. Winter events include skiing, ice fishing and snowmobile derbies. Wisconsin has many lakes of varied size; in fact Wisconsin contains 11,188 square miles (28,977 km²) of water, more than all but three other states (Alaska, Michigan and Florida). The distinctive Door Peninsula, which extends off the eastern coast of the state, contains one of the state's most beautiful tourist destinations, Door County. The area draws thousands of visitors yearly to its quaint villages, seasonal cherry picking, and ever-popular fish boils.

Areas under the management of the National Park Service include the following:[8]

Additionally there is one national forest managed by the US Forest Service in Wisconsin:

Climate

The highest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was in the Wisconsin Dells, on July 13, 1936, where it reached 114 °F (46 °C). The lowest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was in the village of Couderay, where it reached –55 °F (-48 °C) on both February 2 and February 4, 1996.[9]

Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Selected Wisconsin Cities [°F (°C)]
City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Green Bay 24/7

(-4/-14)

29/12

(-2/-11)

40/23

(4/-5)

55/34

(13/1)

68/45

(20/7)

77/54

(25/12)

81/59

(27/15)

78/56

(26/13)

70/48

(21/9)

58/37

(14/3)

42/26

(6/-3)

29/13

(-2/-11)

La Crosse 26/6

(-3/-14)

32/13

(0/-11)

45/24

(7/-4)

60/37

(16/3)

72/49

(22/9)

81/58

(27/14)

85/63

(29/17)

82/61

(28/16)

74/52

(23/11)

61/40

(16/4)

44/27

(7/-3)

30/14

(-1/-10)

Madison 25/9

(-4/-13)

31/14

(-1/-10)

43/25

(6/-4)

57/35

(14/2)

69/46

(21/8)

78/56

(26/13)

82/61

(28/16)

79/59

(26/15)

71/50

(22/10)

60/39

(16/4)

43/28

(6/-2)

30/16

(-1/-9)

Milwaukee 28/13

(-2/-11)

32/18

(0/-8)

43/27

(6/-3)

54/36

(12/2)

66/46

(19/8)

76/56

(24/13)

81/63

(27/17)

79/62

(26/17)

72/54

(22/12)

60/43

(16/6)

46/31

(8/-1)

33/19

(1/-7)

[6]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850305,391—
1860775,881154.1%
18701,054,67035.9%
18801,315,45724.7%
18901,693,33028.7%
19002,069,04222.2%
19102,333,86012.8%
19202,632,06712.8%
19302,939,00611.7%
19403,137,5876.8%
19503,434,5759.5%
19603,951,77715.1%
19704,417,73111.8%
19804,705,7676.5%
19904,891,7694.0%
20005,363,6759.6%
2008[1] (est.)5,627,967Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "".
Wisconsin Population Density Map

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2000, Wisconsin had a population of 5,363,675. Wisconsin's population was reported as 6.4% under the age of 5, 25.5% under 18, and 13.1% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.6% of the population.

Since its founding, Wisconsin has been ethnically heterogeneous. Following the period of French fur traders, the next wave of settlers were miners, many of whom were Cornish, who settled the southwest area of the state. The next wave was dominated by "Yankees," migrants from New England and upstate New York; in the early years of statehood, they dominated the state's heavy industry, finance, politics and education. Between 1850 and 1900, large numbers of European immigrants followed them, including Germans, Scandinavians (the largest group being Norwegian), and smaller groups of Belgians, Dutch, Swiss, Finns, Irish, Poles and others. In the 20th century, large numbers of Mexicans and African Americans came, settling mainly in Milwaukee; and after end of the Vietnam War came a new influx of Hmongs.

The five largest ancestry groups in Wisconsin are: German (42.6%), Irish (10.9%), Polish (9.3%), Norwegian (8.5%), English (6.5%).[10] German is the most common ancestry in every county in the state, except Menominee, Trempealeau and Vernon.[11] Wisconsin has the highest percentage of residents of Polish ancestry of any state.[12] The various ethnic groups settled in different areas of the state. Although Germans settled throughout the state, the largest concentration was in Milwaukee. Norwegians settled in lumbering and farming areas in the north and west. Small colonies of Belgians, Swiss, Finns and other groups settled in their particular areas, with Irish and Polish immigrants settling primarily in urban areas.[13] African Americans came to Milwaukee, especially from 1940 on. Menominee County is the only county in the eastern United States with an American Indian majority.

Demographics of Wisconsin (csv)
By race White Black AIAN* Asian NHPI*
2000 (total population) 91.52% 6.15% 1.30% 1.92% 0.08%
2000 (Hispanic only) 3.35% 0.17% 0.11% 0.03% 0.01%
2005 (total population) 91.00% 6.48% 1.30% 2.21% 0.09%
2005 (Hispanic only) 4.17% 0.20% 0.12% 0.04% 0.01%
Growth 2000–05 (total population) 2.64% 8.89% 3.13% 18.59% 6.85%
Growth 2000–05 (non-Hispanic only) 1.65% 8.53% 2.43% 18.63% 6.18%
Growth 2000–05 (Hispanic only) 28.67% 21.23% 10.54% 16.75% 10.87%
* AIAN is American Indian or Alaskan Native; NHPI is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

86% of Wisconsin's African American population lives in five cities: Milwaukee, Racine, Madison, Kenosha and Green Bay; Milwaukee itself is home to nearly three-fourths of the state's African Americans. Milwaukee ranks in the top 10 major U.S. cities with the highest number of African Americans per capita.[citation needed] In the Great Lakes region, only Detroit and Cleveland have a higher percentage of African Americans.

33% of Wisconsin's Asian population is Hmong, with significant communities in Milwaukee, Wausau, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Appleton, Madison, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, and Manitowoc.[14]

Numerous ethnic festivals are held throughout Wisconsin to celebrate its heritage. Such festivals include Summerfest, Oktoberfest, German Fest, Festa Italiana, Bastille Days, Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day), Brat(wurst) Days in Sheboygan, Cheese Days in Monroe and Mequon, African World Festival, Indian Summer, Irish Fest and many others.

Religion

The largest denominations are Roman Catholic and Lutheran, primarily of the ELCA, Missouri Synod, and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). The religious affiliations of the Wisconsin residents are shown below:[15]

Economy

The US Bank Center in Milwaukee is Wisconsin's tallest skyscraper.

According to the 2004 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report, Wisconsin’s gross state product was $211.7 billion. The per capita personal income was $32,157 in 2004. Wisconsin's state budget is facing a $652.3 million shortfall.[16]

The economy of Wisconsin is driven by manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. Although manufacturing accounts for a far greater part of the state's income than farming, Wisconsin is often perceived as a farming state.

The largest employers in Wisconsin are:

  1. Wal-Mart
  2. University of Wisconsin-Madison
  3. U.S. Postal Service
  4. Milwaukee Public Schools
  5. Wisconsin Department of Corrections
  6. Menards
  7. Kohl's
  8. Ultra Mart Foods
  9. City of Milwaukee
  10. Kohler Company[17]

Agriculture

Wisconsin produces more dairy products than any other state in the United States except California,[18] and leads the nation in cheese production. Wisconsin ranks second behind California in overall production of milk and butter, and it ranks third in per-capita milk production, behind Idaho and Vermont.[19] Based on poll results, a Holstein cow, an ear of corn, and a wheel of cheese were chosen for Wisconsin's 50 State Quarters design.[20] Wisconsin ranks first in the production of corn for silage, cranberries, ginseng, and snap beans for processing. Wisconsin is also a leading producer of oats, potatoes, carrots, tart cherries, maple syrup, and sweet corn for processing.

Given Wisconsin's strong agricultural tradition, it is not surprising that a large part of the state's manufacturing sector deals with food processing. Some well-known food brands produced in Wisconsin include Oscar Mayer, Tombstone frozen pizza, Johnsonville brats, and Usinger's sausage. Kraft Foods alone employs over 5,000 people in the state. Milwaukee is a major producer of beer and the site of the headquarters of Miller Brewing Company, the nation's second-largest brewer. At one time, Schlitz, Blatz, and Pabst were cornerstone breweries in Milwaukee. Today, Milwaukee's economy is more diverse with an emphasis on health care. In 2004, four of the city's ten largest employers (including the top two) were part of the health care industry.[21]

Badger State
State Animal: Badger
State Domesticated
Animal: 		Dairy cow
State Wild Animal: White-tailed deer
State Beverage: Milk
State Fruit: Cranberry
State Bird: Robin
State Capital: Madison
State Dog: American water spaniel
State Fish: Muskellunge
State Flower: Wood violet
State Fossil: Trilobite
State Grain: Corn
State Insect: European honey bee
State Motto: Forward
State Song: "On, Wisconsin!"
State Tree: Sugar maple
State Mineral: Galena (Lead sulfide)
State Rock: Red granite
State Soil: Antigo silt loam
State Dance: Polka
State Symbol of
Peace: 		Mourning dove

Transportation industry

Wisconsin is also home to several transportation equipment and machinery manufacturers. Major Wisconsin companies in these categories include the Kohler Company, Rockwell Automation, Johnson Controls,Seagrave Fire Apparatus, Pierce Manufacturing(fire apparatus), Briggs & Stratton, Miller Electric, Milwaukee Electric Tool Company, Bucyrus International, Super Steel Products Corp., Oshkosh Truck, and Harley-Davidson. Wisconsin also ranks first nationwide in the production of paper products; the lower Fox River from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay has 24 paper mills along its 39 mile (63 km) stretch.

The development and manufacture of health care devices and software is a growing sector of the state's economy with key players such as GE Healthcare, Epic Systems, and TomoTherapy.

Tourism

Tourism is also a major industry in Wisconsin – the state's third largest, according to the Department of Tourism. This is attributed to the many attractions in the Wisconsin Dells family vacation destination area, which attracts nearly 3 million visitors per year, as well as to the many resorts in northern Wisconsin. Tourist destinations such as the House on the Rock near Spring Green and Circus World Museum in Baraboo also draw thousands of visitors annually, and festivals such as Summerfest and the EAA Oshkosh Airshow draw national attention along with hundreds of thousands of visitors. Door County is a popular destination for boaters because of the large number of natural harbors, bays and ports on the Green Bay and Lake Michigan side of the peninsula that forms the county.

Taxes

Wisconsin collects personal income tax based on four income-level brackets, which range from 4.6% to 6.75%. The state sales and use tax rate is 5.0%. Fifty-nine counties have an additional sales/use tax of 0.5%.[22] Milwaukee County and four surrounding counties have an additional temporary 0.1% tax which helps fund the Miller Park baseball stadium, which was constructed around the turn of the century. Retailers who make sales subject to applicable county taxes must collect this tax on their retail sales.

The most common property tax assessed on Wisconsin residents is the real property tax, or their residential property tax. Wisconsin does not impose a property tax on vehicles, but does levy an annual registration fee. Property taxes are the most important tax revenue source for Wisconsin's local governments, as well as major methods of funding school districts, vocational technical colleges, special purpose districts and tax incremental finance districts. Equalized values are based on the full market value of all taxable property in the state, except for agricultural land. In order to provide property tax relief for farmers, the value of agricultural land is determined by its value for agricultural uses, rather than for its possible development value. Equalized values are used to distribute state aid payments to counties, municipalities, and technical colleges. Assessments prepared by local assessors are used to distribute the property tax burden within individual municipalities.

Wisconsin does not assess a tax on intangible property. Wisconsin does not collect inheritance taxes. Until January 1, 2008 Wisconsin's estate tax was decoupled from the federal estate tax laws; therefore the state imposed its own estate tax on certain large estates.[23]

There are no toll roads in Wisconsin; highway and road construction and maintenance is paid for from general public revenues.

Law and government

The capital is Madison.

The Wisconsin State Capitol

State Executive Officers

See also:

Politics

The Little White Schoolhouse of Ripon

During the period of the Civil War, Wisconsin was a Republican and pro-Union stronghold. Ethno-religious issues in the late 19th century caused a brief split in the Republican coalition. Through the first half of the 20th century, Wisconsin's politics were dominated by Robert La Follette and his sons, originally of the Republican Party, but later of the revived Progressive Party. Since 1945, the state has maintained a close balance between Republicans and Democrats. Republican Senator Joe McCarthy was a controversial national figure in the early 1950s. Recent leading Republicans include former Governor Tommy Thompson and Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.; prominent Democrats include Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, and Congressman David Obey.[24]

Much of the state's political history involved coalitions among different ethnic groups. The most famous controversy dealt with foreign language teaching in schools. This was fought out in the Bennett Law campaign of 1890, when the Germans switched to the Democratic Party because of the Republican Party's support of the Bennett Law, which led to a major victory for the Democrats.

The cities of Wisconsin have been active in increasing the availability of legislative information on the internet, thereby providing for greater government transparency. Currently three of the five most populous cities in Wisconsin provide their constituents with internet based access of all public records directly from the cities’ databases. Wisconsin cities started to make this a priority after Milwaukee began doing so, on their page, in 2001. One such city, Madison, has been named the Number 1 digital city by the Center for Digital Government in consecutive years. Nearly 18 percent of Wisconsin’s population has the ability to access their municipality’s information in this way.

Wisconsin has voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in the last six elections. The urban centers of Milwaukee and Madison tend to vote strongly Democratic. The suburbs of those cities are politically diverse, but tend to vote Republican. Counties in the western part of the state tend to be liberal, a tradition passed down from Scandinavian immigrants. The rural areas in the northern and eastern part of the state are the most solidly Republican areas in Wisconsin.[citation needed]

In the 2008 presidential election, Wisconsin voted for the Democratic presidential nominee, Illinois Senator Barack Obama. Obama captured 56% of the vote statewide, with the urban centers of Milwaukee and Madison voting strongly Democratic. Bucking the historic trend, Brown County (home to Green Bay) and Outagamie County (home to Appleton) voted for Obama over John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee. In all, McCain captured approximately 42% of the vote statewide and won 13 of the state's 72 counties. Of the counties won by McCain, only a handful were by greater than 55% of the vote (Florence, Green Lake, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha, with Washington County providing his largest single-county percentage victory in the state). In all, Obama was successful in 59 counties, transcending the state's usual east/west and urban/suburban/rural divides.

Wisconsin ranked second in voter turnout in the 2008 presidential election, behind Minnesota.

Further information: [[:Political party strength in Wisconsin]]

Lawmakers in Wisconsin

The last election in which Wisconsin supported a Republican Presidential candidate was in 1984. However, both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections were close, with Wisconsin receiving heavy doses of national advertising because it was a "swing," or pivot, state. Al Gore carried the presidential vote in 2000 by only 5,700 votes, and John Kerry won Wisconsin in 2004 by 11,000 votes. However, in 2008, Barack Obama carried the state by 381,000 votes and with 56%. Republicans had a stronghold in the Fox Valley but elected a Democrat, Steve Kagen, of Appleton, for the 8th Congressional District in 2006. Republicans have held Waukesha County. The City of Milwaukee heads the list of Wisconsin's Democratic strongholds, which also includes Madison and the state's Native American reservations. Wisconsin's largest Congressional district, the 7th, has been a Democratic stronghold since 1969. Its representative, David Obey, chairs the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

  • Wisconsin's political history encompasses, on the one hand, "Fighting Bob" La Follette and the Progressive movement; and on the other, Joe McCarthy, the controversial anti-Communist censured by the Senate during the 1950s.
  • In the early 20th century, the Socialist Party of America had a base in Milwaukee. The phenomenon was referred to as "sewer socialism" because the elected officials were more concerned with public works and reform than with revolution (although revolutionary socialism existed in the city as well). Its influence faded in the late 1950s, largely because of the red scare and racial tensions.[25] The first Socialist mayor of a large city in the United States was Emil Seidel, elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1910; another Socialist, Daniel Hoan, was mayor of Milwaukee from 1916 to 1940; and a third, Frank P. Zeidler, from 1948–1960. Socialist newspaper editor Victor Berger was repeatedly elected as a U.S. Representative, although he was prevented from serving for some time because of his opposition to the First World War.
  • William Proxmire, a Democratic Senator (1957–89) dominated the Democratic party for years; he was best known for attacking waste and fraud in federal spending.
  • Democrat Russ Feingold was the only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act in 2001.
  • Democrat Tammy Baldwin from Madison was the first, and is currently the only, openly lesbian U.S. Representative.[26]
  • In 2004, Gwen Moore, a Democrat from Milwaukee, became Wisconsin's first African-American U.S. Representative.

In 2006, Democrats gained in a national sweep of opposition to the Bush administration, and the Iraq War. The retiring GOP 8th District Congressman, Mark Green, of Green Bay, ran against the incumbent Governor Jim Doyle. Green lost by 8% statewide, making Doyle the first Democratic Governor to be re-elected in 32 years. The Republicans lost control of the state Senate. Although Democrats gained eight seats in the state Assembly, Republicans retained a five vote majority in that house. In 2008, Democrats regained control of the State Assembly by a 52-46 margin, marking the first time since 1987 the both the governor and state legislature were both Democratic.

Important municipalities

Wisconsin counties

Wisconsin's self-promotion as "America's Dairyland" sometimes leads to a mistaken impression that it is an exclusively rural state. However, Wisconsin contains cities and towns of all sizes. Over 68% of Wisconsin residents live in urban areas, with the Greater Milwaukee area home to roughly one-third of the state's population.[27] Milwaukee is at the northern edge of an urban area bordering Lake Michigan that stretches southward into greater Chicago and northwestern Indiana, with a population of over 11 million. With over 602,000 residents Milwaukee proper is the 22nd-largest city in the country.[28] The string of cities along the western edge of Lake Michigan is generally considered to be an example of a megalopolis. Madison's dual identity as state capital and college town gives it a cultural richness unusual in a city its size. With a population of around 220,000, Madison is also a very fast-growing city. Madison's suburb, Middleton, was also ranked the "Best Place to Live in America" in 2007 by Money Magazine. Medium-size cities dot the state and anchor a network of working farms surrounding them. As of 2007, there were 12 cities in Wisconsin with a population of 50,000 or more.[29] Cities and villages are incorporated urban areas in Wisconsin. Towns are unincorporated minor civil divisions of counties.


Further information: List of municipalities in Wisconsin by population and Political subdivisions of Wisconsin

Education

Wisconsin, along with Minnesota and Michigan, was among the Midwestern leaders in the emergent American state university movement following the Civil War in the United States. By the turn of the century, education in the state advocated the "Wisconsin Idea," which emphasized for service to the people of the state. The "Wisconsin Idea" exemplified the Progressive movement within colleges and universities at the time.[30] Today, public education in Wisconsin includes both the 26-campus University of Wisconsin System, headquartered in Madison, and the 16-campus Wisconsin Technical College System which coordinates with the University of Wisconsin. Notable private colleges and universities include Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Concordia University Wisconsin, Edgewood College, Beloit College, and Lawrence University, among others. Elementary, middle and high school education are mandatory by law.

Music

Music stage at Summerfest in 1994, currently called the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse, with Downtown Milwaukee and an approach to the Hoan Bridge in the background.

Wisconsin has more country music festivals than any other state,[citation needed] including Miller Lite Presents Country Fest, Bud Light Presents Country Jam USA, the Coors Hodag Country Festival, Country Thunder USA in Twin Lakes, and the ever-popular Ford Presents Country USA.

The state's largest city, Milwaukee, also hosts "The World's Largest Music Festival," Summerfest, every year. This festival is held at the lakefront Henry Maier Festival Park just south of downtown.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is represented by major league teams in three sports: football, baseball, and basketball. Lambeau Field, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin is home to the National Football League's Green Bay Packers. The Packers have been part of the NFL since the league's second season in 1921 and currently hold the record for the most NFL titles, earning the city of Green Bay the self-given nickname "Titletown". The Green Bay Packers are one of the most successful small-market professional sports franchises in the world and have won 12 NFL championships, including the first two AFL-NFL Championship games (Super Bowls I and II) and Super Bowl XXXI. The city fully supports their team, as evidenced by the 60,000 person waiting list for season tickets to Lambeau Field, which is referred to as the "frozen tundra" and is considered by many football enthusiasts to be "hallowed ground." The Milwaukee Brewers, the state's major league baseball team, are based out of Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before Miller Park was opened in 2001, the Brewers played their home games at Milwaukee County Stadium. In 1982, the Brewers won the American League Championship, marking their most successful season. The Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association play home games at the Bradley Center. The Bucks won the NBA Championship in 1971. The state also has minor league teams in hockey (Milwaukee Admirals) and baseball (the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, based in Appleton and the Beloit Snappers of the Class A minor leagues). Wisconsin is also home to the Madison Mallards, La Crosse Loggers, Eau Claire Express, Green Bay Bullfrogs, and Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League, a collegiate all-star summer league.

In addition to professional teams, Wisconsin is home to many successful college sports programs. The Wisconsin Badgers, teams based out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, hold many NCAA division championship titles in their respective sports. This includes a historic dual-championship in 2006 when both the women's and men's hockey teams won national titles. The Wisconsin football team has also seen much success after the hiring of Barry Alvarez as head coach. Alvarez led the Badgers to three Rose Bowl victories, including back to back victories in the years 1999 and 2000. The Badgers football program, playing at Camp Randall Stadium, enjoys similar loyalty to the Packers; both teams are known to sell out their entire schedules far in advance. The Wisconsin Badger men's basketball team has also seen success over the past decade, with a trip to college basketball's Final Four in 2000.

The Marquette Golden Eagles of the Big East Conference are the state's other major collegiate program. They are known nationally for their Men's Basketball team which, under the direction of Al McGuire, won the NCAA National Championship in 1977. The team, led by Dwyane Wade, returned to the Final Four in 2003.

Miscellaneous topics

The Milwaukee Art Museum
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin

The USS Wisconsin was named in honor of this state.

Known as "America's Dairyland," Wisconsin is well known for cheese. Citizens of Wisconsin are referred to as Wisconsinites, although a common nickname (sometimes used pejoratively) among non-residents is "Cheeseheads." This is due to the prevalence and quality of cheesemaking in the state, and for the novelty hats made of yellow foam in the shape of a triangular block of cheese. Cheese curds are an extremely popular treat, exported as gifts throughout the country. The state is also known for its alcohol production and consumption, and it is historically home to a large number of breweries and bars per capita. A lesser known, but still significant nickname for Wisconsin is "The Copper State," referring to the copper mines in the northwestern part of the state.

Wisconsin is very popular for outdoor activities especially hunting and fishing. One of the most popular game animals is the Whitetail deer. In 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported the pre-hunt deer population projection to be about 1.5 - 1.7 million. Each year in Wisconsin, well over 600,000 deer hunting licenses are sold. [31] Visitors to Wisconsin during the Thanksgiving holiday will see many hunters in rural areas wearing blaze orange gear for Wisconsin's gun-deer hunting season.

The Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is known for its interesting architecture. The Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens cover over 200 acres (800,000 m²) of land on the far west side of the city. Madison is home to the Vilas Zoo which is free for all visitors, and the Olbrich Gardens conservatory, as well as the hub of cultural activity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is also known for Monona Terrace, a convention center that was designed by Taliesin Architect Anthony Puttnam, based loosely on a 1930s design by Frank Lloyd Wright, a world-renowned architect and Wisconsin native who was born in Richland Center.[32] Wright's home and studio in the 20th century was at Taliesin, south of Spring Green. Decades after Wright's death, Taliesin remains an architectural office and school for his followers.

Wisconsin is known as a "drinking" state with a high percentage of per capita consumptiom of alcoholic beverages and a high rate of "binge" drinking, even when compaired to neighboring states and demographics. This is often exasterbated by the reputation of the University Wisconsin as a party college and the City of Milwaukee as the "beer capitol of the world." Public intoxication is often not only accepted but expected at venues such as Summer Fest, Brewers games, Packers games, State Fair, October Fest, and other public festivals. The Wisconsin Tavern League is a strong political force and the state gevernment has been reluctant to lower DUI offense from BAC 0.10 to 0.08 (only through Federal Government influence) and raise the alcoholic beverage tax. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel series "Wasted in Wisconsin" examined this trend. Poplular belief is that the state's large German heritage population, climate (long cold winters, short warm summers), and abundent leisure oportunities contribute to high drinking rates, though data collected by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel does not conclusively support this.

Wisconsin has sister-state relationships with the Germany's Hesse, Japan's Chiba Prefecture, Mexico's Jalisco, China's Heilongjiang, and Nicaragua.[33]

The shape of the Wisconsin along with the Door County peninsula, have lead many of its residents to refer the state in the shape of a hand, often pointing on their hand to someone unfamiliar with certain locations.

Langlade has a unique soil that is rarely found outside of the county called Antigo Silt Loam.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
  2. ^ a b "Elevations and Distances in the United States". U.S Geological Survey. 29 April 2005. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
  3. ^ "Wisconsin's Name: Where it Came from and What it Means". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
  4. ^ Marquette, Jacques (1673), "The Mississippi Voyage of Jolliet and Marquette, 1673", in Kellogg, Louise P. (ed.), Early Narratives of the Northwest, 1634-1699, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, p. 235, OCLC 31431651
  5. ^ Smith, Alice E. (1942). "Stephen H. Long and the Naming of Wisconsin". Wisconsin Magazine of History. 26 (1). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Historical Society: 67–71. Retrieved 2008-07-24. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ McCafferty, Michael. 2003. On Wisconsin: The Derivation and Referent of an Old Puzzle in American Placenames. Onoma 38: 39-56
  7. ^ Vogel, Virgil J. (1965). "Wisconsin's Name: A Linguistic Puzzle". Wisconsin Magazine of History. 48 (3). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Historical Society: 181–186. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
  8. ^ "Wisconsin". National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  9. ^ Benedetti, Michael. "Climate of Wisconsin". The University of Wisconsin-Extension. Retrieved 2007-03-16. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  10. ^ "Ancestry: 2000," U.S. Census Bureau.[1]
  11. ^ Wisconsin Blue Book 2003–2004[2]
  12. ^ "Ancestry: 2000," U.S. Census Bureau.[3]
  13. ^ Miller, Frank Hayden. "The Polanders in Wisconsin." Parkman Club Publications No. 10. Milwaukee, Wis.: Parkman Club, 1896); Online facsimile at: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/search.asp?id=1336; Visited on: 1/29/2008
  14. ^ "Wisconsin's Hmong Population" (PDF). University of Wisconsin-Madison Applied Population Laboratory. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 12 (help)
  15. ^ Carroll, Brett E. (2000-12-28). The Routledge Historical Atlas of Religion in America. Routledge Atlases of American History. Routledge. ISBN 0415921376.
  16. ^ Budget shortfall projected at $650 million, The Daily Cardinal
  17. ^ Wisconsin's Large Employer Search
  18. ^ United States Department of Agriculture.Dairy Products: 2007 Summary.[4]
  19. ^ "2001 Milk Production" (PDF). Marketing Service Bulletin. United States Department of Agriculture. February 2002. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  20. ^ Walters, Steven. "Doyle flips decision, puts cow on quarter". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2007-03-30.
  21. ^ Schmid, John (2004-12-06). "Out of steam: Decline of railroad sidetracked hopes of many". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2007-05-18.
  22. ^ "County Sales Tax Distribution-2007". Wisconsin Department of Revenue. 2007-03-06. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  23. ^ Wisconsin Department of Revenue
  24. ^ Conant, James K. (2006-03-01). "1". Wisconsin Politics and Government: America's Laboratory of Democracy. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 0803215487.
  25. ^ Smith, Kevin D. (Spring 2003). "From Socialism to Racism: The Politics of Class and Identity in Postwar Milwaukee". Michigan Historical Review. 29 (1): 71–95.
  26. ^ Bull, Chris (1999-02-16). "Take a seat - openly lesbian Representative Tammy Baldwin". The Advocate. LPI Media. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  27. ^ Naylor. "Number and Percent of Total Population by Urban/Rural Categories for Wisconsin Counties: April 1, 2000" (PDF). State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  28. ^ Davis, Chase. "City drops out of top 20". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Journal Communications. Retrieved 2007-03-16. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ U.S. Census Bureau, "Wisconsin -- Place and County Subdivision. Green Bay is Wisconsin's oldest city with a population of around 100,000. The city of Portage comes in as the third oldest city in Wisonsin. Portage still holds onto its past by preserving its downtown, city canal, and waterfront industrial district. Since its birth, Portage has grown to be a city of 10,000 and a large city in the Madison Metropolitan area GCT-T1-R. Population Estimates"[5]
  30. ^ Rudolph, Frederick (1990). The American College and University: A History. The University of Georgia Press, Athens and London. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ "A Chronology Of Wisconsin Deer Hunting From Closed Seasons To Antlerless Permits" (Press release). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2005-11-12. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  32. ^ Pure Contemporary interview with Anthony Puttnam
  33. ^ "Sister-States and Cities". International Wisconsin. 2006-03-20. Retrieved 2007-03-16. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

Bibliography

  • Barone, Michael and Richard E. Cohen. The Almanac of American Politics, 2006 (2005)
  • Current, Richard. Wisconsin: A History (2001)
  • Gara, Larry. A Short History of Wisconsin (1962)
  • Holmes, Fred L. Wisconsin (5 vols., Chicago, 1946), detailed popular history and many biographies
  • Nesbit, Robert C. Wisconsin: A History (rev. ed. 1989)
  • Pearce, Neil. The Great Lakes States of America (1980)
  • Quaife, Milo M. Wisconsin, Its History and Its People, 1634–1924 (4 vols., 1924), detailed popular history & biographies
  • Raney, William Francis. Wisconsin: A Story of Progress (1940)
  • Robinson, Arthur H. and J. B. Culver, eds., The Atlas of Wisconsin (1974)
  • Sisson, Richard, ed. The American Midwest: An Interpretive Encyclopedia (2006)
  • Vogeler, I. Wisconsin: A Geography (1986)
  • Wisconsin Cartographers' Guild. Wisconsin's Past and Present: A Historical Atlas (2002)
  • Works Progress Administration. Wisconsin: A Guide to the Badger State (1941) detailed guide to every town and city, and cultural history

See additional books at History of Wisconsin

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44°30′N 89°30′W / 44.5°N 89.5°W / 44.5; -89.5

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